Leon Russell Joins Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Elton John congratulates Leon Russell at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.


Acclaimed Nashville musician Leon Russell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Monday night (3/14), part of a class that includes fellow luminaries Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Dr. John and Darlene Love.
Russell, who has contributed keys to albums by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, the Byrds, Bob Dylan, and projects from producer Phil Spector, joined the Hall under the “sideman” category.
During the star-studded event at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, Russell performed his “A Song For You,” accompanied by John Mayer on guitar.

Leon Russell. Click to read his bio.


From the podium, Russell thanked collaborator Elton John, bringing tears to the eyes of the British songman. The two paired for the acclaimed album, The Union. Russell explained that John “found me in a ditch at the side of the highway of life and took me up to the high stages with big audiences, and treated me like a king.”
John described Russell as his idol, adding that when they first met in the 1970s, that Russell looked like “something from outer space.”
Also joining the Hall were record execs Art Rupe of Specialty Records, and Jac Holzman of Elektra Records.
The television event airs Sunday night, March 20 at 9 PM on Fuse TV.

CO5 Expands Newmark's Role

David Newmark

CO5 Music is expanding the role of VP of Business Development David Newmark to include VP of Country Promotion responsibilities. He held this position prior to heading business development, and is again taking on the duties following the exit of Denise Roberts, who left CO5 to join Lytle Management.

Newmark will be hiring at least one new regional promotion rep.

The announcement was made by CO5 co-CEOs Tracy Brown and Todd Sievers.

Newmark can be reached at 615-469-1756 or factor@co5music.com.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (3/16/11)

This week, let’s do like the televised awards shows do.

Our Female Vocalist of the Week is Amber Hayes. Her sophomore single is every bit as lively, fun and delightful as her debut. I remain a fan.

The Male Vocalist of the Week is no stranger to DisClaimer honors. It’s Eric Church, who has won more prizes from this column than any other artist. “Homeboy” is just one more reason to love and revere him.

The winner of Group of the Week is Gloriana. Is there any other group in this genre that looks and sounds this good? I think not. These four kids deserve to become superstars.

So give all three of those releases a Disc of the Day award.

Chase Rice lost by just one vote on the reality show Survivor: Nicaragua. In addition, he is notable as a former University of North Carolina linebacker and as a member of the NASCAR pit crew for driver Ryan Newman. Now he has yet another career, as a country singer with a “spring break” single. He also has a DisCovery Award.

AMBER HAYES/Wait

Writer: Amber Hayes/Bill DiLuigi/Mark Conklin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Okie Girl/888 Blue/Jive Buddha, ASCAP; FUNL (888-875-1617 ext. 102)

—As before, she’s a twirling, swirling confection of pop-pop-pop fizz. Enjoy the moment. Get up and dance around the room. Grin while that steel takes its soaring solo. Laugh while you sing along deliriously.

ERIC CHURCH/Homeboy

Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville (ERG)

—Superbly written, it’s a cautionary, minor-key address to a hip hopper heading down the wrong path. Everything this artist puts out raises the bar, burns with integrity and is a credit to this genre.

GLORIANA/Wanna Take You Home

Writer: Tom Gossin/Matt Serletic/Wendell Mobley; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publisher: Gossin/Melusic/Primary Wave Emblem/Warner-Tamerlane/Boatwright Baby, ASCAP/BMI; Emblem/Warner Bros.

—It’s pretty direct. He wants to have sex. Tonight. The joyous track is a choppy, chunky bopper, laced with fiddle and steel. As usual, their chorus harmonies are captivating. Catchy in the extreme.

CHASE RICE/Buzz Back

Writer: C. Rice/J. Rice/B. Kelley; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Artist Revolution (877-999-9975)

—He’s hung over, but not for long. Rocking and promising, this is the debut country single from the first runner up on TV’s Survivor: Nicaragua.

GREG HANNA/Makin’ Love Real

Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Pheromone/Paradigm/Megaforce/RED (www.greghanna.com)

—It’s an over-the-top romance ballad that’s taken at a v-e-r-y slow pace, but his singing is so pure and true that it overcame any reservations I had about it.

THE NEW RELICS/Dixie Queen

Writer: J. Edmondson/D. Edmondson/A. Patrick/A. Heller; Producer: Joshua Swiger & The New Relics; Publisher: Supo Lavo, BMI; Blues Alley

—The third radio single by this band features hearty harmony singing and a rollicking instrumental performance. But there’s something faintly junky about the sound. I recommend a production upgrade.

EMERSON DRIVE/Let Your Love Speak

Writer: Danick Dupelle/Josh Bartholomew/Steven Lee  Olsen; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Quarterback (615-438-7667)

—The reggae-flavored rhythm and echo chambered baritone vocal are both ear catching. The song has hooks a-plenty.

ADAM FISHER/Freight Train

Writer: Adam Fisher/Josh Taylor; Producer: Eric Paul; Publisher: none listed; AF

—If I remember correctly, I have liked this guy in the past. He sings with great gusto here. The song, guitar work and production are either an homage to or are slavishly imitative of Waylon Jennings, depending on your point of view.

JEFF COOK & THE ALLSTAR GOODTIME BAND/Waitin’ On Willie To Sing

Writer: E. Todd/C. Owens; Producer: Jeff Cook; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Quest (CDX) (www.jeffcook-agb.com)

—Sung with a weary smile, he name drops “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Whiskey River,” “Always on My Mind,” “On the Road Again” and “Good Hearted Woman.” Plus, there’s an acoustic guitar playing in dropped-note Willie fashion. Enjoyable.

TYSON BOWMAN/Thank God For People

Writer: Tyson Bowman/Vince Lambert/Judy Rodman; Producer: Val Lupescu & Rick Filer; Publisher: none listed; Guitar Shark (track) (www.tysonbowman.com)

—The title tune to this fellow’s CD is an ode to understanding, opportunity and unselfishness. Heartfelt, if vocally wobbly.

Kick the Crap Outta Cancer—A Benefit for Jayne Rogovin

Jayne Rogovin and Manuel


Kick the Crap Outta Cancer, a benefit to support the medical fund of longtime Nashville music business publicist Jayne Rogovin, will be held Tuesday, April 5, 6–10 PM at Cabana restaurant.
The event will include performances by Raul Malo, Jim Lauderdale, Foster & Lloyd, Steve Cropper, Peter Cooper & Eric Brace, Mandy Barnett, Ruby Amanfu, James Intveld, Matt Urmy and others.
Beer, wine and creative southern cuisine from Cabana chef Brian Uhl are included in the price of admission and a silent auction will feature a variety of cool and eclectic items.
Tickets are $50 per person or $1000 for a VIP cabana for 10, and are available by logging on to www.cabananashville.com. Donations can also be made directly to the Jayne Rogovin Medical Fund at any SunTrust Bank.

Sony's Bush Hawg In Japan

New RCA Nashville recording group Bush Hawg was on a two-week tour of Japan and Guam for Armed Forces Entertainment when the area was struck by last week’s record 9.0 magnitude earthquake. The six-man group, consisting of band members Jim Phipps, Russ Caldwell, Craig Hand, Shaun Ames, Alex Wilshire, and Ben Helton, are now safe in Guam.
They were loading in for a performance at Yokota Air Base when the quake registered 5.0 at their base location, less than 30 miles from Tokyo. Temporarily stranded at Yokota, the band was able to assist in preparing barracks for relief workers. Bush Hawg has been sharing some of their experiences via their Facebook page.
The group is currently recording its debut album with multi-Platinum producer Michael Knox, with a release slated for later this year.

In this photo from earlier in their journey, several band members shared a ride in a Humvee. Pictured (l-r): Bush Hawg’s Shaun Ames, Craig Hand, Alex Wilshire, and Jim Phipps.

IODA Debuts Open API

IODA, has released a metadata and content API designed to increase exposure and revenue opportunities for content owners while enabling partners to monetize artist content more effectively. Open API provides access to metadata, buy links and media assets for partners and third party developers. The announcement was made March 15 at SXSW in Austin, TX.
Open API is a means to offer accurate data on demand—from release notes and track info to release dates, artist bios, images and more. All data is provided and approved directly by IODA’s rightsholders to ensure the accuracy and completeness. Metadata, as it is referred to is essentially the information required to properly compensate rightsholders. It is only possible to  pay those involved if one knows who they are and where to send the payments. As the range of uses for content becomes ever more complex, the Open API, like several other systems that have been announced previously, endeavors to make this important information available in real time to the appropriate parties. Click here to see an example use of this data. Interested developers should click here.
Known as the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, IODA is one of the industry-leading digital distribution companies for the global independent music and video community. IODA provides comprehensive services to record labels, physical distributors, artists, and filmmakers, including license negotiations; media encoding and metadata management; royalty payment administration and reporting; and marketing and promotional support. Founded in 2003, IODA represents a rapidly expanding roster of more than two million music tracks and thousands independent film and video titles. IODA distributes its music and video catalog to hundreds of digital storefronts worldwide, including all major digital music services like iTunes®, Amazon MP3 and Spotify, and mobile carriers and outlets such as Verizon Wireless, Sprint and Vodafone. The company’s website is www.iodalliance.com.

CMT Original Movies Division Launches With Two Projects

LeAnn Rimes (L) and Laura Bell Bundy (R) are slated for new projects from CMT Original Movies.


CMT is expanding with a new division focusing on made-for-television movies including romantic comedies and music-related projects.
 CMT Original Movies already has two projects in the works. To The Mat stars Ricky Schroder and Laura Bell Bundy, and Reel Love stars LeAnn Rimes.

Mary Beth Cunin, SVP, Programming, CMT, explains, “We’ve had great ratings success programming with acquired theatrical romantic comedies, so it is only natural for us to create original stories that are tailor made for the CMT audience.”
The department’s previous incarnation, CMT Films, produced and distributed films from 2005-2010. It was a full-service film studio that used theatrical and network premieres to distribute the films before premiering them on CMT, and releasing them for DVD sales. Films included Broken Bridges (Toby Keith, Kelly Preston), Beer For My Horses (Toby Keith, Rodney Carrington), the Emmy-nominated Dale about NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt, and Petty Blue, a documentary about NASCAR’s royal racing family.
As for the new projects, To The Mat (working title) was written by C. Jay Cox (Sweet Home Alabama), and stars Schroder (24, NYPD Blue) and UMG Nashville artist Bundy (Legally Blonde: The Musical, How I Met Your Mother). It tells the story of a laid-back ex-wrestler (Schroder) who’s trying to keep his family’s down-and-out southern wrestling school above water. Bundy is the uptight consultant from New York charged with getting the books in order to save the business. Directed by Rob Iscove (She’s All That), To The Mat is currently in production and is set to premiere in August on CMT. It is taping in British Columbia.
Reel Love stars Rimes as a successful, big city girl who returns to her small town roots after a family emergency, and reconnects with family and friends and finds romance along the way. Written by Sharon Weil Aaron and directed by Brian K. Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), Reel Love is set to begin production in late April and will premiere in September on CMT. It is taping in Ontario.
Both films will be produced by Entertainment One Television with John Morayniss, Noreen Halpern, Margaret O’Brien and Ira Pincus as Executive Producers. Lisa Silfen, Robin Palmer, Lewis Bogach and Mary Beth Cunin serve as Executive Producers for CMT.

Martina Releases New Music

Martina McBride has released her first music since 2009 with new single “Teenage Daughters.” It is the lead single from the superstar’s label debut for Republic Nashville, due out this fall. The song, co-written by McBride and The Warren Brothers, deals with the experiences of both children and parents during the teenage years.
McBride has co-written seven more tracks for her new album. After 18 million career album sales, the upcoming project will be her first on a new label, first working with co-producer Byron Gallimore, and first to have written the majority of the material herself.
McBride, a mother of three daughters, comments, “I love the fact that ‘Teenage Daughters’ blends humor, sass and sweetness. It shows a very real side of my personality that I’m not sure I’ve shown in a song before. It’s definitely a very personal song and, to me, it just feels like an honest conversation between mothers and fathers of teenage daughters everywhere.“

Artist Action

(L-R): Gracin, contest winner Shelagh Brown, album engineer Aaron Chmielewski


Average Joe’s recording artist Josh Gracin used a unique radio promotion to find a duet partner for a song on his new album. Radio stations across the country encouraged listeners to send in their video entries for consideration. Gracin and his team sorted through countless submissions until they found Shelagh Brown.
Gracin surprised the fellow Michigan native live on Kalamazoo’s B93 (WBCT) with the news that she had been selected to join him in Nashville to record his self-penned, “Only When It Rains.” The song is slated for his album Redemption, due out this summer. See behind-the-scenes video here.
• • • • •

Guy Penrod


Guy Penrod turned to Facebook for his latest promotional contest. The “March Madness Song Tournament” lets fans vote on their favorite Penrod track. A total of 46 titles from his solo and Gaither group careers were nominated by fans; with the top 16 most-popular songs rounding out the bracket. The winner gets an Apple iPod Touch, loaded with Penrod’s music.
In 2010, Penrod’s combined album sales exceeded 100,000 units of new release Breathe Deep, and The Best of Guy Penrod. Moving 54,000 units, Breathe Deep was the best-selling new Southern Gospel CD last year, and the second best-selling new Country Gospel CD.
• • • • •
Pheromone/MegaForce/Sony Red recording artist Greg Hanna is gearing up for his next venture into U.S. radio with “Makin Love Real,” which goes for adds next week. He has enlisted the help of veteran radio promoters Rick Kelly, Sarah Matlock, Lisa Smoot, Jen Trail, and Jerry Duncan. Marco Promotion’s Craig Bann will handle video promotion. Webster & Associates is on board for publicity duties.
Hanna has charted several singles in his native Canada, including his 2005 Top 10 hit “In My Head.” He had success on the MusicRow chart with his last two singles: “It’s A Man’s Job,” and “What Kind Of Love Are You On.”

SOLID and YEP Events Tonight

BMI's bowling team from last year's Music Row Madness Showdown.


SOLID and CAA have partnered for the 3rd Annual Music Row Madness Showdown, a bowling tournament to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. 16 teams of music industry servants will compete and prizes will be awarded to the best fundraisers (both team and individual), highest team score, best team name, and best team spirit. The event is expected to raise over $10,000 for the cause. The fun starts 6-9 pm tonight (3/15) at Hillwood Strike and Spare, and both CAA and SOLID have teams competing.
“We are thrilled to not only sponsor a team but to be partnering with CAA for this event benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters,” says SOLID President Ian Wolczyk. “This has been a great event for the past few years and SOLID is ecstatic to be a part of it.”
• • • •
If you’re out of your element with bowling, then Young Entertainment Professionals Network (YEP) is hosting a free mixer and EP release tonight at Tin Roof. The mixer portion starts at 5:30, followed by an acoustic round with Hailey Whitters, Cassidy Lynn and Smith Ahnquist 7-7:30, another round featuring Drake White, Jason Cole Saenz, and Heather Morgan 7:30-8, and a full band performance from Cheryl LuQuire at 8 to celebrate the release of her EP.